No need for a national language
In his thought-provoking article titled, “Do we have a national language?” published in the Daily Graphic of Monday, February 17, 2014, Mr K. B. Asante revisited the never-ending debate on a national language for Ghana. I have a definite answer for his question.
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Of course, we do not have a national language and I dare say there is no need to have one, now or in the foreseeable future. Ghana is blessed with many rich national languages which portray our unity in diversity and strengthen our diverse cultural identity, freedom of expression and communication. Any attempt to subtly or deliberately impose a national language on Ghanaians will be disastrous and will be an exercise in futility.
Dr Nkrumah’s position
Dr Nkrumah, conscious of the fact that languages could and do create prejudices and if not carefully and tactfully handled could create political instability and undermine national unity; and conscious of the fact that ethnic feelings were not entirely overcome in Ghana despite the fact that the various ethnic groups had lived and worked together for many years, made conscious efforts to promote the use of the major Ghanaian languages and never attempted to impose a common Ghanaian Language on the people. The result of this wise, proactive policy, as we all know, was that tribal feelings were minimised and a relatively, strong and unified nation was built under him.
Dr Nkrumah believed strongly that the struggle for the attainment of nationhood should be accompanied and made possible by the use of all the major languages which were spoken in Ghana. One very important legacy Nkrumah left behind was the idea that a national language could not be legislated into existence.
As a great leader, he knew that in a multicultural cum multi-ethnic society, any attempt to deliberately or subtly impose one language on the nation would inevitably lead to national disaster. Instead, he opted for “unity in diversity,” whereby all the major Ghanaian Languages would be allowed to flourish, hoping that each would find its own level of acceptance in the society.
He believed in the assertion that “to many people language is everything since no culture can survive without a language.”
An abortive attempt in parliament in 1971
It is in the light of this that many right-thinking Ghanaians rejoiced at the failure of Parliament in 1971 to subtly impose a so-called common Ghanaian Language on the nation. Mr S.H. Addae, (M.P., Berekum) through a private member’s motion on May 3, 1971, moved that:
In view of the importance of a national language as a factor for national unity in Ghana, this House requests the Government to set up a national committee of experts to promote and coordinate all efforts being made to evolve a common Ghanaian Language or lingua franca.
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Fortunately, the majority of members did not allow the motion to pass in its original form. One honourable member opposed the motion on the grounds that the mover of the motion:
“said that English is foreign. Will that common (Ghanaian) language not be foreign to some people in Ghana? To attempt to adopt one particular language as a national language is to try to elevate one tribal group above others.”
Another honourable member said:
“Mr Speaker, language is a solemn thing. It grows out of life, out of its agonies and ecstasies, its wants and weariness. Every language is a temple in which the soul of those who speak it is enshrined.”
Commenting on the abortive attempt to push down the throat of the nation an undesirable common Ghanaian language, the late Prof. Paul Ansah (may his soul rest in peace) remarked thus.
“Though the advantages of having a lingua franca are obvious, the difficulties encountered in trying to bring this about are so enormous that no government is likely … to raise the issue again.”
It should be quite clear to all by now that language is not only the vehicle of culture. It is also the spirit and soul of a people. It is their identity and foundation of their culture. Little wonder, therefore, that people are prepared to live or die for it. There is no need to underestimate this inescapable human phenomenon. To do so is to compromise the stability of Ghana.
Secondly, it is a huge fallacy to reason that in a multi-lingual society a national language automatically engenders an all-round national unity. Somalia has a common language, common religion and common ethnicity but it is now a failed state! On the other hand, countries like Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, South Africa, etc., which are multi-lingual, continue to thrive.
Thirdly, it must be realised that “language is an important instrument of self-manifestation” and nobody can easily give up his right to self-manifestation and survival!
Fourthly, people are willing to accept a language voluntarily, especially if found beneficial but are prepared, at the cost of their life, to resist it if and when it is imposed on them.
Need for a change
Instead of wasting precious time and scarce resources to enforce a national language, we should rather create an enabling condition whereby our children will be encouraged to learn and speak each other’s languages and appreciate each other’s cultures. That is where the salvation of Ghana lies. After all, as Prof. R.F. Amonoo said:
“We are condemned to living together in one state (Ghana). The lessons of tolerance, accommodation and mutual respect from other countries and from our own experiences should be our guide when we come to work out a national policy on languages in Ghana. Above all, we must remember that all human languages are potentially equal and useful.”
The renowned professor could not have put it better. There is, therefore, no need at all to go in search of a national language, which in the final analysis will become an imperialist and oppressor’s language and a possible source of national conflict.
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The writer was an MP for Hohoe South. Email: [email protected]